Hello everyone,
I’m moving in 4 weeks and need a kitchen. Since I’m a student, it was pretty clear quickly that it would be an IKEA kitchen, especially since I find it offers a lot of flexibility. The cabinet fronts for the base units will be simple Veddinge, and the two wall cabinets will be Hyttan. Regarding the countertop, I initially chose one from Bauhaus (Mountain Oak), even though I was aware of the different depths of standard countertops and IKEA base cabinets. But after going to the hardware store today with a laminate sample and the Hyttan front to compare, I wasn’t as thrilled anymore. The kitchen will have Tundra light oak laminate flooring, which goes very well with Hyttan, but not so much with Mountain Oak. Somehow, there are too many wood tones even though all three are oak; it feels too busy. So, I had to rethink and am now considering the Bergstena countertop from IKEA in white. This way, there’s no other wood involved except the wood-effect edging, which is also oak and matches both the laminate and Hyttan—it’s just the edging after all.
Now, a few questions came up. My kitchen run is 2.86m (9 ft 5 in) long, but if you stand facing it, there’s a utility shaft on the left, which sticks out 1.09m (3 ft 7 in). There will be 37cm (14.5 inches) deep base cabinets installed there, pulled forward so that their fronts line up with the other cabinets. This leaves an air gap of about 5cm (2 inches) behind the “short” cabinets. The Bauhaus countertop would have been 3m (9 ft 10 in) long, so you’d only have to cut out the section for the shaft. The IKEA countertop, however, is at most 2.46m (8 ft 1 in) long. When I put it into the planner, it uses two 1.86m (6 ft 1 in) pieces, which also makes more sense. However, the two pieces will need to be joined somehow.
Question 1: Would it be better to place one full 1.86m (6 ft 1 in) countertop and fill in the rest with the second piece, or cut the first piece for the “larger” cabinets (1.77m / 5 ft 10 in) and join the second piece exactly where the shaft begins, so that the joint is at the transition between the short and large base cabinets?
Question 2: What is the best way to join the countertops? My boyfriend got his Möbel Boss kitchen last week, and everything was customized and fitted perfectly. Because he has an L-shaped kitchen, his countertops already fit well. Underneath, there were two large holes where an XXL screw or similar fastener pulled the two pieces together. They also glued the countertops at the joint. It looked flawless, perfectly aligned, almost like one seamless piece. IKEA countertops don’t come like that, of course. Just glue? Use metal brackets? Have a recess milled? Use a joining strip? What options exist, and which would you recommend?
I hope my questions make sense. I’m happy to hear any tips.
Laura
I’m moving in 4 weeks and need a kitchen. Since I’m a student, it was pretty clear quickly that it would be an IKEA kitchen, especially since I find it offers a lot of flexibility. The cabinet fronts for the base units will be simple Veddinge, and the two wall cabinets will be Hyttan. Regarding the countertop, I initially chose one from Bauhaus (Mountain Oak), even though I was aware of the different depths of standard countertops and IKEA base cabinets. But after going to the hardware store today with a laminate sample and the Hyttan front to compare, I wasn’t as thrilled anymore. The kitchen will have Tundra light oak laminate flooring, which goes very well with Hyttan, but not so much with Mountain Oak. Somehow, there are too many wood tones even though all three are oak; it feels too busy. So, I had to rethink and am now considering the Bergstena countertop from IKEA in white. This way, there’s no other wood involved except the wood-effect edging, which is also oak and matches both the laminate and Hyttan—it’s just the edging after all.
Now, a few questions came up. My kitchen run is 2.86m (9 ft 5 in) long, but if you stand facing it, there’s a utility shaft on the left, which sticks out 1.09m (3 ft 7 in). There will be 37cm (14.5 inches) deep base cabinets installed there, pulled forward so that their fronts line up with the other cabinets. This leaves an air gap of about 5cm (2 inches) behind the “short” cabinets. The Bauhaus countertop would have been 3m (9 ft 10 in) long, so you’d only have to cut out the section for the shaft. The IKEA countertop, however, is at most 2.46m (8 ft 1 in) long. When I put it into the planner, it uses two 1.86m (6 ft 1 in) pieces, which also makes more sense. However, the two pieces will need to be joined somehow.
Question 1: Would it be better to place one full 1.86m (6 ft 1 in) countertop and fill in the rest with the second piece, or cut the first piece for the “larger” cabinets (1.77m / 5 ft 10 in) and join the second piece exactly where the shaft begins, so that the joint is at the transition between the short and large base cabinets?
Question 2: What is the best way to join the countertops? My boyfriend got his Möbel Boss kitchen last week, and everything was customized and fitted perfectly. Because he has an L-shaped kitchen, his countertops already fit well. Underneath, there were two large holes where an XXL screw or similar fastener pulled the two pieces together. They also glued the countertops at the joint. It looked flawless, perfectly aligned, almost like one seamless piece. IKEA countertops don’t come like that, of course. Just glue? Use metal brackets? Have a recess milled? Use a joining strip? What options exist, and which would you recommend?
I hope my questions make sense. I’m happy to hear any tips.
Laura
I
IKEA-Experte19 Feb 2015 16:18Hello,
that depends on your requirements.
The best option is a joint with tongue and groove, combined with countertop connectors, as was done with your friend’s setup.
Since the area where the depth decreases is probably used less than other parts, I would focus there.
Alternatively, you can order a custom-made Personlig for around 40 € per meter (approximately 12 USD per foot).
that depends on your requirements.
The best option is a joint with tongue and groove, combined with countertop connectors, as was done with your friend’s setup.
Since the area where the depth decreases is probably used less than other parts, I would focus there.
Alternatively, you can order a custom-made Personlig for around 40 € per meter (approximately 12 USD per foot).
I
IKEA-Experte19 Feb 2015 16:38All information is in the buying guide.
That helped me a lot!
I ordered the Personlig panel this morning. Now I can hardly wait and am thrilled to have a one-piece panel. In the end, it is €10 more expensive than two 1.86-meter (6.1 feet) panels. The shipping costs will be added, but I can live with that.
Thanks =)
I ordered the Personlig panel this morning. Now I can hardly wait and am thrilled to have a one-piece panel. In the end, it is €10 more expensive than two 1.86-meter (6.1 feet) panels. The shipping costs will be added, but I can live with that.
Thanks =)
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